The Associated PressMeagan Warner, right, gets a hug from students from an Oakwood University student as she walks into UAH's Shelby Center this morning.HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Students arriving for classes at UAH's Shelby Center this morning were greeted by upbeat music and a large banner that read, "Let the Healing Begin."

Today is the first day of classes at the Shelby Center since Feb. 12, when assistant biology professor Amy Bishop allegedly shot three people to death during a faculty meeting. Dr. Joseph Leahy and Stephanie Monticciolo, a staff assistant, remain hospitalized in critical condition.

A couple of students were crying as they entered the building, but most were smiling after walking through a gauntlet of hugs offered by Oakwood University students.

The Oakwood group, part of the school's National Association for the Prevention of Starvation chapter, stood just outside the front doors playing toe-tapping religious tunes, including "When the Saints Go Marching In."

"We're also hurting," said the group's music coordinator, Lisa Williams. "We just want to show the school that we love them."

Charles Ford, a 20-year-old freshman at UAH, said it's tough getting back in the swing of classes after the tragedy. His first class this morning was Biology 120, taught by shooting survivor Dr. Bruce Stallsmith.

"He said it's probably going to be hard for us to adjust and it feels kind of crazy to be teaching today," Ford said, "but we've just got to go on."

"Sometimes, you have to just tough it out."

Volunteer counselors from around the country will be on campus this week to help students and faculty that want to talk about what happened. Also, the University of Alabama and University of Alabama at Birmingham sent a total of 14 campus police officers here to temporarily bolster UAH's police force.

"We don't want to overwhelm students with security," said UAH President David Williams, "but we want them to know there are a bit more police about than usual."